Forest dependence and income distribution in a subsistence economy: Evidence from India

We examine an area of northern India where forestry acts to ameliorate the incidence of poverty and destitution, though it does not otherwise contribute significantly to the reduction of income inequality. The poor would be doubly disadvantaged without common property access to forest products. Conservation measures entailing curtailment in the right to common access pose a dilemma. This issue is explored here. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.